Gay Experience Research Articles

Experiences of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Cardiology Physicians and Fellows in Training.

The number of practicing lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) cardiologists is unknown despite diversity initiatives focused on understanding workforce demographics. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence, sources of mistreatment, and measures of wellness among the LGBTQ+cardiology community. An online survey was sent to the American College of Cardiology Fellow in Training and Early Career Professional Listservs and shared on social media sites. The survey included the Short-Negative Acts Questionnaire and LGBTQ+-specific harassment questions. Chi-square analysis and Fisher exact tests were performed to compare responses between LGBTQ+ and non-LGBTQ+respondents. A total of 188 respondents completed the survey (56% Fellow in Training). One-third (33%) identified as LGBTQ+. Gender identity data included: transgender (3%), nonbinary (2%), gender queer (1%), and agender (1%). LGBTQ+physicians were less likely to agree with the statements 'LGBTQ+patients were treated fairly' (40% vs 66%, P<0.001), and 'leadership dealt with people demonstrating poor behavior fairly' (34% vs 51%, P=0.029) compared to heterosexual peers. LGBTQ+physicians were more likely to report gender policing and heterosexist harassment compared to heterosexual peers (P=0.002). The majority of physicians (91%) were satisfied with their decision to become a cardiologist. This current analysis of LGBTQ+cardiologists in the workplace identifies opportunities to address mistreatment impacting the LGBTQ+community. Despite experiencing mistreatment, LGBTQ+cardiologists report high job satisfaction. Further work is necessary to create a safe space and diverse cohort of physicians required to meet the needs of LGBTQ+patients at risk for cardiovascular disease.

Queering police legitimacy theories: (dis)trust, context, and visibility

ABSTRACT Police legitimacy theories have predominately been used to understand perceptions of police among heteronormative communities. This work has often failed to consider the views and experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and other non-heteronormative (LGBTQ+) people. Building upon existing critiques of police legitimacy theories, this article examines the shortcomings of monolithic conceptions of legitimacy when applied to non-heteronormative communities. Through a critical and queer criminological lens this article explores perceptions of police legitimacy among 148 LGBTQ + people in Victoria, Australia. Drawing on the findings of an exploratory online survey, the results indicate that police legitimacy should not be conceptualised or measured through monolithic judgements. Instead, police legitimacy should be understood as a multifaceted and dialogical phenomenon that is spatially and temporally contingent. The study reveals a strong distrust in Victoria Police amongst LGBTQ + people as well as a preference to avoid interacting with police officers whenever possible. The findings indicate that an intersectional interrogation of police legitimacy theories is required to understand the nuanced ways in which legitimacy is experienced by diverse community groups.

Distress due to Heterosexist Experiences and its Relationship with the Mental Help-Seeking Behavior of LGBT College Students

Progress has been made in reducing stigma in mental health, but some communities still lack the same level of de-stigmatization. As such, this research explores the relationship between heterosexist experiences of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) college students and their mental health help-seeking behavior, aiming to fill a gap in existing literature on LGBT students' struggles and vulnerabilities. This correlational study recruited a total of 100 LGBT College Students studying within Metro Manila Universities. Distress from heterosexist experiences was measured using the Distress from Heterosexist Experiences Questionnaire (DHEQ). While the mental help-seeking behavior was measured using the Actual Help-Seeking Questionnaire (AHSQ). The relationship between the two variables was tested using regression analysis. The data revealed in the study shows that LGBT college students do indeed experience distress due to heterosexism wherein they display an average distress of 2.10 (SD=0.67). This means that the LGBT college students experience a mild range of distress due to heterosexist experiences. Moreover, the result shows that the average mental help- seeking of the LGBT college students is 3.28 (SD=2.01). An average range could indicate that either LGBT college students do not seek much help or that LGBT college students only seek help from certain people. As a result, the relationship between distress due to heterosexism and help-seeking behavior reveals that there is a significant predictive relationship between the two variables, F (1, 98) = 6.33, p= 0.013. A 0.74 increase in mental help-seeking behavior for everyone (1) level increase in distress due to heterosexist experiences.

Exploring the Lived Experiences of LGBTQIA+ People in Diverse Fields: A Qualitative Study in Urban India

This article is based on a comprehensive investigation of the lived experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersexual, and asexual plus (LGBTQIA+) individuals working in diverse fields within the urban Indian context. The study contributes to the mainstream discourse on diversity and inclusion (D&amp;I) from the gender lens. It reveals how organizational policies, societal attitudes, and cultural norms in India influence the identity, family, and peer relationships, educational and workplace environments, support systems, and coping mechanisms of LGBTQIA+ professionals. Utilizing a qualitative research approach, data were obtained from interviews published on the “Feminism in India” website. Thematic analysis revealed seven themes, shedding light on the marginalization and challenges faced by LGBTQIA+ communities, including the exclusion of trans individuals within feminist spaces and inadequate representation in Pride events. This research investigates nascent experiences within social and professional contexts and narrows down the focus to the LGBTQIA+ community in India. In this study, intersectionality theory is integrated to explain how sexual orientation merges with gender, caste, class, and religion to establish workplace inclusion, equity, and belonging. The themes identified in the study reveal that it is the social, personal, and structural relationships that influence the lives of LGBTQIA+ persons in urban India. Organizations and policymakers can only minimize discrimination and support positive development upon understanding these experiences.

Examining the impact of cancer treatment on personhood: A participatory research investigation into the unique experiences of lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals

PurposeCancer incidence is growing in the UK population and will affect half of all individuals in their lifetime, with most new diagnoses occurring over the age of 60 years old. Despite legal reforms and liberation of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or questioning (LGBTQ) people's rights in recent years, many LGBTQ people affected by cancer will have faced significant societal discrimination in their lives. The aim of this research was to explore how cancer treatment impacts on the personhood of LGB people, and to increase understanding of social issues specific to this community. MethodsUnderpinned by person-centred principles and Critical Social Theory, a community-based participatory inquiry was carried out with nine LBG people who had been affected by cancer. In two subsequent sessions, participants created an identity map and then reflected on how cancer and care experiences had impacted their identity. Initially, content analysis of transcripts was informed by Mezirow's perspective transformation, followed by inductive thematic analysis within each data framework category. Participants were invited to provide feedback on the identified themes. ResultsThe processes of coming out and facing a cancer diagnosis emerged as significant crises, leading to personal transformation. Factors such as past experiences of homophobia, duration of being openly out, and confidence in embracing altered identities influence interactions with healthcare providers and the level of support received. ConclusionsThis research makes a unique contribution by shedding light on the unreported support needs of LGB individuals affected by cancer, suggesting the need for additional assistance.

Rainbow within and beyond: A qualitative study on the experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender staff nurses in the Philippine hospital settings.

An individual's sexual orientation plays a fundamental role in their self-identity, relationships, and health. Years have shown both progressive and regressive responses to the LGBT community's social acceptance, particularly observable in various areas. Yet existing literature overlooks the Filipino healthcare settings, particularly with lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) staff nurses. Exploring their perspectives and experiences, whether challenges or successes, is crucial for gaining insights into occupational matters, workplace dynamics, and policy development. The research aimed to explore the lived experiences of LGBT staff nurses in the hospital settings. Husserl's Transcendental Phenomenology research design was utilized in this study. Participants included LGBT staff nurses with at least a year of experience at any hospital department. Individualized unstructured interviews were conducted with three participants interviewed face-to-face and five through online video conferencing platforms from March to April 2024. All interviews were transcribed, coded, themed, and analyzed using Colaizzi's approach. Data saturation was achieved with eight participants. Seven themes emerged, including: Recognizing Gender Stereotypes, Optimizing Nursing Care, Yearning for Acceptance, Generating Meaningful Relationships, Battling Heteronormative Gender Norms, Inspiring Potentials beyond Gender and Profession, and Valuing the Progress of LGBT Inclusivity. The study revealed that LGBT staff nurses had multifaceted experiences with patients, colleagues, and superiors in the hospital settings as their workplace. They faced gender stereotyping and battled against limits on expression but fought to defend their authentic identities. They built relationships with colleagues and strived to be defined beyond societal perceptions. As they yearn for amplified LGBT acceptance in the workplace and society, they expressed gratitude for progress towards acceptance of the LGBT community.

"We had to care about ourselves": Distress and coping among gay, bisexual, and queer (GBQ+) Latinx men after the Pulse Nightclub shooting.

The Pulse Nightclub shooting is the deadliest act of violence against the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer community in U.S. After the shooting, communities came together to process the violence and grieve the victims. Conceptualizing the Pulse Nightclub shooting as a cultural trauma, this article examines the impact of the shooting on gay, bisexual, and queer (GBQ+) Latinx men and how these men coped following the Pulse Nightclub shooting. Semistructured qualitative interviews were conducted with Latinx gay, bisexual, and queer men in the United States. Transcripts were analyzed with thematic analysis. The interviews (n = 10) revealed five main themes related to distress, coping, and belonging. Cultural trauma events impact community members who share identities with the direct victims. Our findings suggest that after experiences of cultural trauma, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer Latinx individuals may seek collective-level coping strategies, even when they are not directly targeted. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Psychosocial correlates of LGBTIQ+ experiences in selected African countries: Reimagining LGBTIQ+ research

AbstractThis paper explores the multifaceted experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, or queer (LGBTIQ+) people in selected African countries within legal, health, and educational sectors, and the broader society. It further highlights efforts that address issues around inclusion and social injustice. In the selected African countries (e.g., Ghana, Namibia, Kenya, and Uganda), LGBTIQ+ related activities are constitutionally illegal, leading to social discrimination or criminalization. Discrimination and stigma occur in various institutions which promotes homophobic sentiments, self‐harm and ostracization among LGBTIQ+ people. Notable countries like South Africa and Mozambique, have decriminalized same‐sex relationships, but these have not necessarily halted incidences of homophobia, social alienation, and discrimination that persist across the continent. In this article, queer theory and sexual minority stress theory are applied as contextual tools to explicate the everyday experiences of LGBTIQ+ people in sectors such as law, education, and health. As a contribution to the discourse on LGBTIQ+ people and research in Africa, this article further explores how discrimination, stigma, compulsive survival coping strategies, and legislation impede the overall psychosocial wellbeing of LGBTIQ+ people. Although this paper's narrative is primarily restricted to a few selected African countries, the narratives are relatable to non‐Western states with collectivist cultural orientations.

Using feminist critical management studies to examine LGBTQ+ women’s experiences of inclusion and exclusion in rugby

ABSTRACT The purpose of this research is to examine the experiences of lesbian, bisexual, gay, takatāpui, queer, and allies (LGBTQ+) women in rugby in Aotearoa/New Zealand. Using Feminist Critical Management Studies (FCMS) the research shows the potential of these experiences to inform the development of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in sports organisations. FCMS places feminism at the centre of organizational research and seeks to disrupt hegemonic masculinity. This means that DEI policy and practice generation, and implementation, are informed by the knowledge experiences of a marginalized group, in this case, LGBTQ+ women. Mixed methods were used, comprising an online Qualtrics survey, which enabled the collection of descriptive quantitative data about 143 respondents’ demographics and experiences. The quantitative data revealed that women’s rugby is generally inclusive for LGBTQ+ community members. Of the 143 respondents, 69 also provided open text qualitative responses. The qualitative results were thematically analysed, revealing further details, such as inclusion as personal support; and inclusion as rugby culture. Constraints to inclusion were identified, as well as exclusion through traditional club environments. The respondents provided thoughts on future inclusion through the development of education and awareness. The research contributes to DEI in sport management by asking questions about how DEI knowledge is created in sport organisations, who are the guardians of that knowledge, and whether and how might sport managers adapt their practices to respectfully ensure that marginalized peoples’ views inform DEI.

An Exploration of the Peri-Diagnostic Experiences of Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual People With Dementia Using the Candidacy Framework.

How dementia affects lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer people or those with other minoritised sexual/gender identities (LGBTQ+) is not well understood. Furthermore, existing research often excludes the voices of LGBTQ+ people living with dementia and focuses instead on their care partners. This study addresses this evidence gap by drawing on the ESRC/NIHR funded DETERMIND cohort, consisting of 940 newly diagnosed people with dementia, to explore the peri-diagnostic experiences of people living with dementia who identify as LGBTQ+. We recruited five people (who identified as lesbian, gay or bisexual [LGB]) and completed semi-structured interviews with them and their partner caregivers (n=3) discussing their experiences of (1) engaging with dementia health care services, (2) receiving a dementia diagnosis, and (3) the support they were offered after diagnosis. Interviews were shaped by the Candidacy Framework, a theoretical model for understanding accessibility of health services, and an inductive thematic analysis was employed to develop common themes. Participants did not routinely disclose their LGBTQ+ identities to health service professionals, despite feeling this was an essential aspect of who they are. They relied on their resilience of overcoming previous experiences of lifetime discrimination to navigate complicated dementia care systems. The importance of 'chosen families' as informal support networks for LGBTQ+ people living with dementia was highlighted, particularly given the lack of formal care services they felt comfortable accessing. All participants were concerned about their future care needs and whether they would receive home-based or community-based support that respected their LGBTQ+ identities. This study adds to the limited evidence base that can be used to inform future research, policy and practice seeking to address inequalities across the dementia care pathway. We only interviewed people who identified as LGB so generalizability to the whole LGBTQ+ population is limited, however our data suggest dementia health care professionals should encourage and support disclosures of LGBTQ+ identities so that inclusive care and support planning can be provided to LGBTQ+ people at every stage of dementia.

Faggot! Dyke! Experiences of Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Physical Education Teachers and their Strategies in the Face of Homophobia

ABSTRACT The growing visibility of the LGBTQ community and the demand for their rights, also in the educational context, have led, among other things, to a higher focus on the experiences of teachers and the role they play when facing homophobia and promoting diversity and respect. In this sense, lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) teachers could experience their sexual orientation and its visibility as a problem. However, specific knowledge about these experiences is limited, also in Physical Education (PE). This study explores these experiences through data collected from 24 in-depth interviews with Primary and Secondary LGB PE teachers in Spain. The results align with the international literature, highlighting that disclosing their sexual orientation is a key aspect of participants’ experience. Although teachers agree on the advantages of “coming out of the closet,” LGB PE teachers define their strategies based on contextual elements such as fear of the families’ reaction, the type of school, or the training received. They develop strategies such as ignoring homophobic acts, reacting against them, or using them educationally. Overall, homophobia in the educational context affects them emotionally. As a conclusion, it is essential to improve training, engage allies, and involve the entire educational community in the fight against homophobia.

“It’s another gay disease”: an intersectional qualitative approach contextualizing the lived experiences of young gay, bisexual, and other sexual minoritized men in the United States during the mpox outbreak

BackgroundThe U.S. mpox outbreak in 2022 introduced new and exacerbated existing challenges that disproportionately stigmatize gay, bisexual, and other sexual minoritized men (GBSMM). This study contextualizes the perceptions, susceptibility, and lived experiences of the mpox outbreak among GBSMM in the U.S. using an intersectional framework.MethodsBetween September 2022 to February 2023, we conducted 33 semi-structured qualitative interviews with purposively sampled GBSMM in the Northeast and the South region of the United States on various aspects related to their experience during the mpox outbreak.ResultsWe identified four themes: (1) understanding and conceptualizations of mpox, (2) mpox vaccine availability and accessibility, (3) mpox vaccine hesitancy and mistrust, and (4) call to action and recommendations. GBSMM collectively discussed the elevated mpox stigmatization and homophobic discourse from mainstream social media and news outlets. GBSMM also discussed the lack of availability of mpox vaccines, unclear procedures to receive the vaccine, and continued mistrust in government, non-government, and other institutions of health that were complicit in anti-LGBTQ + narratives related to mpox. However, they expressed that these challenges may be addressed through more LGTBQ + representation and leveraging ways to empower these communities.ConclusionGBSMM have mpox experiences that are distinct and multifaceted. Effectively addressing mpox and mitigating public health emergencies for GBSMM requires prioritizing destigmatizing communication channels and vaccine distribution strategies by centering their stories and lived experiences to advance health equity.

"It definitely changed me": Exploring sexual and gender diverse people's experiences with intimate partner violence in Ontario, Canada.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) involves an individual committing acts intended to harm or intimidate a current or former romantic partner. The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent stay-at-home orders often trapped victims with perpetrators and intensified IPV. Although sexual and gender diverse people disproportionately experience IPV compared to cisgender, heterosexual people, their experiences are not well documented in the Canadian context. This study aimed to explore the experiences of Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, and other sexual and gender diverse (2S/LGBTQIA+) people with IPV in Ontario and how the COVID-19 pandemic affected their IPV experiences. We conducted in-depth, semi-structured interviews with self-identified 2S/LGBTQIA+ people who experienced IPV on/after March 15, 2020. We audio-recorded and transcribed all interviews and coded the transcripts for content and themes using inductive and deductive techniques. Our 20 participants experienced physical, psychological, sexual, and financial abuse. Technology-facilitated violence extended abuse geographically and temporally. IPV experiences were associated with negative mental health outcomes that were intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants struggled to see themselves as legitimate victims of IPV. Although participants regretted being victims of violence, many saw their abusive relationship(s) as a learning experience to inform future relationships. Our findings suggest that 2S/LGBTQIA+ people may experience unique forms of identity abuse and may have difficulty recognizing their IPV experiences as abuse. Ensuring that comprehensive sexual health education is trauma-informed, anti-oppressive, and includes information about healthy relationship dynamics, 2S/LGBTQIA+ relationships, and IPV is critical.

Narratives of “coming out” among self-confessed members of the Filipino LGBTQ community

Heteronormativity is institutionalized and the LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer) community often faces challenges because of their sexual orientation and gender preference. The process of coming out is contested and negotiated. With this observation, this study explores the salient experiences of selected members of the Filipino LGBTQ community regarding their coming out as homosexuals. A qualitative approach was used to gather and analyze data to comprehend the experiences of gay and lesbian individuals as they navigate their coming out journey. The study engages 25 participants through referrals. Findings reveal that non-heterosexual females exhibit a greater degree of fluidity in their gender identity, compared to non-heterosexual males, who primarily identify as gays. The process of “coming out” is deeply intertwined with the presence and acceptance of non-heterosexual individuals within the family.

Mental health experiences of young gay, bisexual, transgender, two-spirit, queer, and non-binary people in Canada

There is a growing body of research on the disparities, barriers, and inequities experienced by sexual- and gender-minority communities in Canada, particularly in comparison with heterosexual cisgender counterparts. This article examines data from the community-based Canada-wide Sex Now 2018 (in person) and Sex Now 2019 (online) surveys to gauge the mental health, social and community connection, and service needs of young gay, bisexual, transgender, Two-Spirit, and queer (GBT2Q) men and non-binary people. Differences across people of colour, Indigenous, trans, and non-binary sub-populations provide insight for future interventions and targeted programs to support the mental health of GBT2Q young people across Canada.

‘We too are human’: Religious experiences of gay and lesbian Christians in Harare

The issue of same-sex relationships is complex in Zimbabwe because of the prevailing hostile legal provisions, and cultural and religious beliefs. While it is a criminal offence to practise same-sex relationships in Zimbabwe, the Constitution of Zimbabwe does not tolerate any discrimination against people. The debate on same-sex relationships has been on spotlight in Zimbabwe since 1995 when the late former President of Zimbabwe, Robert Mugabe, disparaged same-sex relationships as not only unnatural and un-African, but also unchristian. The practice of same-sex relationships has since remained politicised in Zimbabwe and elsewhere within the African region and those practising it have often been discriminated against by society. This article used a qualitative methodology to explore the religious experiences of Christians in same-sex relationships in Harare, using insights from the notion of ubuntu. Field data were gathered through social media from purposively selected respondents who were living in same-sex relationships. Findings revealed that these people felt discriminated against and unsafe in their own churches. Based on these findings, it is argued that despite their respective views on same-sex relationships, the African church should respect the dignity of the people involved in these relationships, and should also create safe spaces for them.Contribution: The article promotes sensitivity to the needs of minority groups in the society and encourages the provision of appropriate guidance on how to deal with the phenomenon of same-sex relationships.

“I Thought They Would at Least Love Me”: The Gay Experiences of Heteronormative Regimentation in Indian Families, a Phenomenological Ethnography

This paper inquires into the heteronormative regimes of sexual morality, focusing on the experiences of gay and queer men within the locus of family. Drawing upon a phenomenological ethnography involving interviews with the Indian gay community, this study demonstrates the disciplinary power of sexual morality over queer lives. It examines the varied strategies of moral regimentation within the locus of family, including regimenting through silencing, moral dictation, and penalizing. These strategies reflect the prevailing conservative and sex-negative attitudes in Indian society, particularly patriarchal expectations toward men and the pressure for marriage, which augments familial and social burdens on gay men, resulting in emotional distress. The cumulative effects lead to gay men living double lives, presenting a socially accepted façade while repressing their authentic queer selves, indicating a guilty conscience and internalized homophobia. These experiences correlate with risky sexual behavior, substance abuse, and overall compromised mental health. This phenomenological inquiry highlights the role of the family as a locus of moral control of queer individuals and contributes to the sociological understanding of morality as a power-relation.

Strategic adjustments: Daily experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex persons in Nairobi

Despite International efforts by NGOs and social movements to protect lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex (LGBTQI) people in Africa, they still face injustices, stigma, and discrimination. This study uses an assemblage approach to analyze narratives collected through interviews with LGBTQI individuals in Nairobi, Kenya about the daily strategies they use to navigate the tensions between their need for livelihood security, personal safety, and their gender and sexual identity. The study employs the analysis of daily experiences to discuss how contexts and preferences interact with internal sexual identities and choices for external expressions of sexual identities.

Traversing Liminality: Gay Leisure Spaces and Identity Formation in Contemporary Chinese Society

This article applies queer insights to liminality theories. It proposes a nuanced analysis of queer lived spatiotemporalities extending beyond the optimism toward a politics of liminality. It draws on ethnographic research tracing gay men’s embodied experiences and identity-making in gay leisure spaces in Chengdu, China. The results show how highly ambiguous and intersectional gay experiences include a constant negotiation between sexual liberation and social responsibilities, and they question liminality as always subversive and transformative in a linear sense. I argue that gay leisure spaces can be highly scripted by codes of conduct enacted through state apparatuses that sustain heteronormativity. While some gay spaces in China are tolerated in certain economic and cultural modes, they are fundamentally structured by formal (legal systems) and informal institutions (moralities and social norms). I advocate an extended power analysis of neoliberal leisure spaces concerning the promotion of equal rights for LGBTQ + people.

Experiences of patients with disabilities and sexual or gender minority status during healthcare interactions.

The purpose of this study was to examine the lived experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and other (LGBTQ+) people with disabilities when interacting with healthcare professionals related to their gender identity, sexuality, and disability. Historically marginalized groups face many inequities in health care. However, little is known about the intersectional experiences of LGBTQ+ people with disabilities when receiving health care given their likelihood to encounter multiple marginalizations. Data were collected via the 2019 National Survey on Health and Disability (NSHD) and included a sample of 197 LGBTQ+ respondents with disabilities living in the U.S. Quantitative data and demographics were analyzed using descriptive methods. Qualitative data were analyzed using deductive and inductive methods. 72.2% of LGBTQ+ respondents with disabilities avoided discussing their gender or sexual identity with their healthcare providers, with 9.8% never disclosing their identity. Qualitative analyses revealed themes centered around experiences of negative interactions with healthcare providers, including fear, distrust, and avoidance of care (40.1%), dismissal or denial of treatment (30.5%), and assault or aggressive activity (4.1%), although some reported no problems or need to discuss their LGBTQ+ or disability identities (14.7%). LGBTQ+ people with disabilities reported high rates of negative experiences disclosing gender or sexual identity and/or disability with healthcare providers. Further research is needed to determine whether negative interactions with medical providers may be caused by a lack of medical understanding, false assumptions about the de-sexualization of disabled people, or ignorance about LGBTQ+ identities.